2012 marks the inaugural Presidents Award – a new category designed to recognise achievement in the detection, prevention and/or investigation of auto crime. Being the President’s Award, as the name suggests the final discretion for picking a winner fell to our Branch President, Mark Bennedick, with the assistance of the judging panel to provide a shortlist of nominees. Mark was unable to pick just one winner, and decided that there were two nominees who deserved the award. 

The second recipient of the President’s Award is Mr Ross Park, from Glenorchy City Council. Ross was recognised for his innovative ‘Choose Your Ride’ video, a project in conjunction with the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council. The video is aimed at 9-14 year olds, and deals with the consequences of getting involved in car crime. The concept was developed from Ross’ real life observations in dealing with the problem on the ground.

Many thanks to the judges who helped IAATI’s Australasian Branch President determine the winner of the year’s Investigation of the Year – Dennis CONNOR (Immediate Past President IAATI Australasian Branch); Les Fuller (Forensic Locksmith, Maxim Forensic Services) and Neil Baker (Product Compliance Manager Technical Service Operations Toyota Motor Corporation Australia).

Ross Park joint recipient of the 2012 President's Award
L to R: International 3rd Vice President Heidi Jordan; Australasian President Mark Bennedick;Ross Park; International 1st Vice President John O’Byrne